La Gioia — Restaurant in Bengaluru

Our recent visit to this new Italian restaurant turned out to be disappointing; despite making a reservation for 7 PM, the experience was marred by several issues.

Upon arrival, we found that two-seater tables were in short supply. Although the restaurant was mostly empty, we were asked to seat next to another couple with barely a feet of space between us. Our request for a more comfortable four-seater was flatly denied, leaving us feeling unwelcome. We had make the choice to take the offered seating inside.

The problems began even before we had a chance to eat. I’m not a fan of handwashing facilities located inside toilets, but what made matters worse was the complete lack of running water. After applying soap, I found myself unable to rinse it off. When I brought this to the staff’s attention, the waiter passed the issue to the token white person whom we assumed to be the owner at first, and whose response was shockingly indifferent—he told me to wait 15 minutes for the water tank to fill up. This was a major oversight, especially since the restaurant opens in the evening and have the whole day to get their act together and in order. What was he thinking, making the customer at his restaurant stand around with soap on their hands for that long? Only after we requested an alternative water source because it was impractical to sit with soapy hands did the waiter finally take me to the bar area to wash my hands. The staff's lack of apology, both in action and words, compounded the sense of indifference, as it seemed they were eager to dismiss the issue quickly. Moreover, they didn’t warn other unsuspecting guests entering the washroom about the lack of water in their taps.

When it came to the food, it was the biggest letdown of all. We ordered a pizza, drinks, and a tiramisu.

Pizza: The pizza tasted like cardboard—completely flavorless. The crust was hard, the sauce lacked any depth, and the toppings were meager and unremarkable that hadn't blend well together. Some of the topping items mentioned on the menu card were missing from the final item.

Mocktail: The drink was the only redeeming aspect of the meal. It was well-prepared and refreshing, but unfortunately, it couldn’t salvage the overall experience.

Tiramisu: The tiramisu was the worst I’ve ever had. It was bitter, lacked the usual creamy richness, and was served at room temperature. When we questioned why it wasn’t cold, they replaced it with a version that had even less cream and was still bitter and warm. When we explained to Patrick that tiramisu is usually served cold, his response was, “We serve it fresh,” missing the point that freshness and proper temperature are not mutually exclusive.

If you're seeking a peaceful dining experience or a nice spot for a date, this is not the place. The staff’s constant interruptions and insistence on immediate feedback made it impossible to enjoy our meal in peace. When the owner, Aman, came to our table, we, at first, tried to be polite by appreciating the decor. However, he remained insistent on feedback about the food. When we mentioned that the pizza base felt dried, Aman launched into somewhat of a snobbish sounding explanation about it being gluten-free dough and implied that Indians are too accustomed to takeout and home-delivered pizzas to appreciate authentic Italian food. He even went so far as to suggest that other Italian restaurants in the area are inauthentic. Which we don't agree with, but found hard to disagree as guests without risking the conversation turning uncomfortable.

In conclusion, this restaurant falls short on service [though guests are charged a flat 10% for it], food quality, and the general operational excellence. Their go-to response to any concerns or disappointments is that "it is the Italian way," expecting guests to surrender to this excuse absent question, regardless if it even makes sense. There is much work to be done beyond their decor, also reflected in the plummet of their ratings in just a...

La Gioia in Bangalore offered us a pleasant afternoon filled with hearty Italian flavors and a few standout dishes that made the experience memorable. Nestled in the city with a chic ambiance and AVPN-certified authenticity, the restaurant delivers a blend of rustic Italian charm with a modern vibe.

We began our meal with the Pumpkin and Mushroom Soup, which was simply exceptional. The flavors were beautifully balanced — the sweetness of the pumpkin mingling subtly with the earthy depth of the mushrooms. What really elevated it was the clever use of mushroom bits in the soup, adding texture and a burst of umami with every spoonful. A must-try for soup lovers!

Next came the Frittini Veg, a crispy fried medley of vegetables. While the concept was nice and the crunch satisfying, I felt it leaned on the oilier side — a tad lighter would have made it perfect.

Moving to the mains, the Pistachio Ravioli truly stole the show for me. Stuffed with a delicate and creamy filling, it was both indulgent and refreshing, with the pistachio flavor coming through without overpowering the dish. It was excellent — a rare ravioli variant done right.

We also tried the Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli. It was well-prepared, with the pasta cooked just right and the filling smooth. However, personally, it didn’t appeal to my taste as much. Perhaps it’s better suited for those who enjoy milder, more traditional flavors.

Now, the La Campagnola Pizza — this one was the showstopper! Perfectly wood-fired with a crisp yet tender crust, rich tomato base, and thoughtfully chosen toppings. The AVPN certification here really shines through — it’s not just for show. This is truly authentic Neapolitan pizza that competes with the best.

For drinks, I went with the Limoncello Spritz, and I must say, it was spot-on. Refreshing, zesty, and light, it paired incredibly well with everything we had. Highly recommend this as your go-to beverage here.

Dessert was the classic Tiramisu. It was decent, but nothing extraordinary. I’ve had more memorable ones elsewhere — a touch more creaminess and mascarpone cheese freshness would have elevated the experience even more.

A couple of downsides to note: we had outdoor seating, which turned out to be quite noisy due to the surrounding environment.

If you're seeking a more intimate or quieter experience, indoor seating is definitely the better choice — unfortunately, it wasn’t available at the time. Also, the washroom tap was a bit shaky — a minor maintenance issue, but worth fixing for an otherwise polished place.

All said, La Gioia delivers on its promise of authentic Italian cuisine with a few standout dishes that make it worth returning to. With just a little refinement in certain areas, it could easily be one of the top go-to Italian spots...

Establishment stands out in Indiranagar. About 15 minutes walk from the metro station., so that’s convenient. We had a reservation, and were guided to our seats with wide smiles.

The Limoncello Spritz pairs really well with all the dishes, and has a really mellow aftertaste.

We tried the pumpkin mushroom soup (Velutata Di Zucca Con Funghi) and it was mind-blowing. The richness and creaminess of the soup pairs incredibly well with the complimentary house bread (served with chilli olive oil!) Strongly recommend.

Now for the star of the show: Ravioli Al Pesto Al Pistacchio. If the overall dining experience was a theatrical performance, then this dish is the show stopper. While not shaped like a traditional ravioli, it is a perfect al dente pasta stuffed with a rich filling (which i can’t quite put my finger on) and fresh burrata cheese. This is served on a plate of a creamy, slightly salty pistachio sauce, which is simply sublime. This is a must have.

And now for what probably brought everyone to lay eyes on this place: the AVPN certified Neapolitan pizzas. We tried the Sole Del Sud pizza, which, as recommended by our server, is traditionally served without tomato sauce in the pizza base. As it reached our table, we really had our hopes up: it looked incredibly appetising and the burrata cheese ball was practically beckoning to be eaten. The simple, rustic taste did not disappoint. However, I wish the pizza was served to us at a higher temperature. It was barely warm when it got to our table. With that qualm out of the way, onto desert!

We first tried the Pasticciotto, and were surprised by the light lime and mild sweetness of the filling. The strawberry coulis on the side is perfect for this.

To end, we ordered an alluring Torta Mimosa. One bite of this will convince you that all those pastries you’ve had before are a lie. A light pineapple flavoured airy sponge cake, served on a base of fresh passionfruit sauce, vanilla ice cream and dashes of strawberry coulis. This dish appeases the palette as well as the eyes. Great finish.

The service was incredible and well paced. The ambience is so peaceful, almost like you’re entering another dimension. I recommend not taking the balcony seats, gets...